Awards for Adventurous Programming application/guidelines

Before appying please read the pdf complete guidelines and program descriptions.

For more information please contact Michael Manley, Director of Artistic Programs at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 646-822-4037.

Awards for Contemporary Music

These awards encourage and recognize programming of music of our time completed in or after 1983.  Consideration will be given to all orchestras whose concerts extend through the regular winter season.  Festival orchestras, operating within a specific and limited period of time, will be judged as a separate category. Apply here: Form A

John S. Edwards Award for Strongest Commitment to New American Music

Given to the orchestra with strongest overall commitment to new American music, the winner of this award will be determined from entries in all of the above categories.  A cash prize of $3,000 will be awarded.  The winning orchestra will not be eligible to receive another award. Apply here: Form A

Morton Gould Award for Innovative Programming

The Morton Gould Award for Innovative Programming will be given to an orchestra whose programming and presentation indicate extraordinary efforts to expand the symphonic repertoire and develop and educate orchestra audiences.  Innovations in performance presentation, such as incorporating multimedia or new media, will be considered.  Applicants may provide brief examples of activities which support the above criteria.  A cash prize of $3,000 will be awarded, and the winning orchestra will not be eligible to receive another award. Apply here: Form A

Reminder:  For the three awards mentioned above, applicants must send the following documents in addition to completing Form A online:

  • A statement of up to two pages describing your orchestra's activities which demonstrate its commitment to contemporary American music. You may refer to recent activity and future plans. Be sure to include additional information on the items listed in number 2 above, as well as commissions, readings, festivals, new music series, partnerships, and any other relevant activity.
  • Brief biographies (no more than one page) of lesser known or local composers listed on your application.
  • Photocopies of all subscription series programs (program page(s) only) for the award period (excluding pops), and of programs for other concerts that include eligible works. 

Please send the above documents to:  Michael Manley, League of American Orchestras, Attn: ASCAP Awards, 33 West 60th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10023

Leonard Bernstein Award for Educational Programming

The Leonard Bernstein Award for Educational Programming will be given to the orchestra whose educational programs integrate the music of our time and are creative, relevant, and based on the best practices of music education.  A cash prize of $3,000 will be awarded.  The winning orchestra will not be eligible to receive another award. Apply here: pdfForm B

Award for American Programming on Foreign Tours    

Special recognition will be given for exemplary programming of orchestral music by American composers on foreign tours.  The recipient of this award will receive a plaque and is eligible to receive another award. Apply here: pdfForm C

pdf Complete 2007-2008 ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming Guidelines/Application(s).